Fly Fishing

[DiPaoro]

I have decided to get a fly pole and now its times to buy some flies. So far, I am unable to find a hatch chart for the Black River. If anyone can provide a chart or point me to the best flies for this river, I would be most appreciative. Also, where is everyone buying flies online? I am looking at the theflystop and a few others.

Lastly, does it make sense to buy size 14 and 16 for the same fly? I looked at a few today and the size looks the same. Maybe I need a new pair of glasses...

Thanks again for the help!

Rick

[Jigman13]

Tommy at the Sporting Life in Whitehouse has some fly gear and flies. Give him a call. I'm sure he could point you in the right direction.

[gypsy]

Size 14 are the biggest you want to go, you should have the same fly in sizes 14, 16, 18, and 20. Hares Ear, Pheasant tail, flashback Pheasant tail, Scuds, Stone Fly, and Caddis. In the warmer weather get a screen kick over the rocks in the faster water, match what you find in the screen. My kids would hold it open, and I'd go up stream a little and kick over the rocks. Musky in Hackettstown has good stone fly's, scud, caddis. Hope this helps, I also tie and sell flies using the best material you can get. Oh a White Marabou streamer usually catches the biggest trout. If you need some flies, pm me

[DiPaoro]

I have added the White Maraboa to the list.

[akoop]

I would suggest talking to someone at your local fly shop. Tight Lines Fly Fishing, in Fairfield, Shannon's Fly Shop in Califon, Sporting Life in Whitehouse are all excellent. They guys in those shops can point you in the right direction.

My favorite general purpose flies would include Hares Ear, Pheasant tail in sizes 14, 16, 18 and also a black Wooly Bugger.

[Drossi]

Get some wooly buggers black, brown, and olive size 8 and 10. Grey Ghost streamers in those same sizes too. Fish them quartering downstream on a tight line swing. You can also work the in small 2-3 inch strips to add action to the swinging fly. Basically you fish them similar to how you would a lure or jig just with fly gear.

Also good advice to stop in a shop like Shannon's or Tight Lines. They hook you up with good fies for early season. Once you get a basis of what flies you like to fish you can order them online. I use fly shack or cabelas mostly.

[EJS]

Blue Wing Olives - loop wing, various sizes, black stones, Tan and brown caddis. As far as hatch charts, should be similar to the South Branch of the Raritan, timing will obvious vary, but will be close enough.

[DiPaoro]

I am using the South Branch chart for guidance.

Appreciate all of the help. This is going to be fun to get out there a catch a few.

[MaCe1]

You could also look into joining one of NJ's Trout Unlimited chapters. There is a Hacklebarney Chapter, the Black River runs through Hacklebarney State Park so there's probably a wealth of knowledge there. I know my TU chapter sells flies for good price, others probably do something similar. Good luck.

[bigfishy]

http://www.cjtu.org/

Been a member fer yrs....git er done ,join up and make a differance

[briansnat]

Get some wooly buggers black, brown, and olive size 8 and 10. Grey Ghost streamers in those same sizes too. Fish them quartering downstream on a tight line swing. You can also work the in small 2-3 inch strips to add action to the swinging fly. Basically you fish them similar to how you would a lure or jig just with fly gear.

Also good advice to stop in a shop like Shannon's or Tight Lines. They hook you up with good fies for early season. Once you get a basis of what flies you like to fish you can order them online. I use fly shack or cabelas mostly.

Wolly buggers along with Gold ribbed hares ears (beaded and plain) are my go to flies for NJ streams. If I use a streamer it it is almost always a Grey Ghost or a Muddler Minnow.

I would also add a few terrestrials such as ants.

In additon to the other places mentioned, Ramsey Outdoors has a good selection of flies, especially the one in Succasunna.

[DiPaoro]

Since I am new to fly fishing... i have a newbie question....

Can I fish for Trout in the Black River now or do I have to wait until April?

I am going to release regardless.

Thanks!

[thmyorke1]

Since I am new to fly fishing... i have a newbie question....

Can I fish for Trout in the Black River now or do I have to wait until April?

I am going to release regardless.

Thanks!

Where ever they stock for spring, you cannot fish until opening day. However some exceptions for streams like klg.

[Mikey topaz]

All killer choices everyone mentioned above, just make sure u get some light leader/tippet 6x. Just a heads up caught alot of big trout outta there through out the years on grey scuds.

[Drossi]

Since I am new to fly fishing... i have a newbie question....

Can I fish for Trout in the Black River now or do I have to wait until April?

I am going to release regardless.

Thanks!

No, Black River is closed under the general trout regulations. Check the NJDFW website, it explicitly defines where you can and can't fish during the closed season. Besides Black River is close enough to the South Branch that you can hit the special regulations area's of that river which are better anyways.